Cincinnati Bengals' Vontaze Burfict has grown into a force

5:13 AM,
Jan. 3, 2014

Vontaze Burfict became the first Bengals player to lead the league in tackles with 171. 'I'm the leader of the defense and I hold myself accountable for everything that happens out there in the game,' he said.

Written by

Joe Reedy
The Cincinnati Enquirer

When the Bengals faced the Chargers on Dec. 1, Vontaze Burfict wasn't at 100 percent. To say that he was even at 60 might be generous.

Two days before the game, Burfict severely sprained his ankle during practice. In pregame warmups, coaches and Marvin Lewis still doubted he could go until Burfict told Lewis to let him play. Burfict ended up leading the team in tackles with 13 along with a pass breakup and two quarterback pressures.

After leading the league in tackles and making his first Pro Bowl, Burfict will get a chance to show why he is one of the league's top linebackers on Sunday when ...